FRANK Griffiths - whose family were well-known builders in the town for generations - died at his home on the Isle of Man last month.

He was a popular character in Didsbury and was from a long line of Griffiths' who can trace their history in the village back to 1806.

The shop which bore the family name in Wilmslow Road closed three years ago but only disappeared from the familiar street scene earlier this year when it was demolished to make way for a new development - which could be a small Marks and Spencer food store.

His daughter Rita Harrison, of Knutsford, said her father, who had been a master joiner, had enjoyed a happy life and a 30-year retirement on the Isle of Man.

"Dad was born in Didsbury, as was his father, and his father, and his father," said Mrs Harrison.

She said her father had been determined to maintain an active light.

"The day before he died he had been up a ladder painting his window frames and the day he died he was making jam in his kitchen," she said.

Mrs Harrison, 59, said despite retiring to the Isle of Man with his wife Jean, he maintained strong links with Didsbury.

"While he lived here, he was a founder member of 2nd Didsbury Scout Group and was a Rover leader," she said.

"He helped build their old headquarters off Beaver Road and was involved with the fundraising for their new building on School Lane even though he had moved to the Isle of Man by then."

As well as being a keen Scout, Mr Griffiths was also a dedicated motorcyclist and was also a founder member of the British Motorcycle Association.

And during World War Two, he served as a corporal in the RAF.

Mr Griffiths, who died from a heart attack, was one of three daughters and two boys, although one sister and brother later died from TB.

He was married to Jean for 61 years until she died in 1998 and the couple had four children and ten grandchildren.

Mrs Harrison said: "We had a sign over the house that said Griffiths and Son, which started with his grandfather and father, then his father and brother and then his brother and nephew, so it was always relevant."

The family were noted builders in the area, and built several properties on Barlow Moor Road, leaving the construction business ten years ago when just the shop on Wilmslow Road - run by Mrs Harrison's brother - remained until it finally closed in 1998.

She said: "It was hard when the shop closed.

"The idea was that he could have somewhere to come back to in Didsbury when ever he wanted to."

The family's handiwork continues to live on in Didsbury - many of the choir pews and carvings at Emmanuel Church were created by Mrs Harrison's grandfather, who also played for Manchester City in the early years of the 20th century.

"My dad never stopped working," said Mrs Harrison.

"He spent the last 30 years working on the house he bought on the Isle of Man.

"My mum would turn the handle on the cement mixer while he laid the bricks. She was the navvy."

Mr Griffiths' funeral was held last week. Mrs Harrison said: "Dad always made us laugh with his make-do-and-mend antics and was a master improviser - he made anything out of scrap, including a lawn mower grass box and a chastity belt for the dog."

The family had lived in Spring Gardens in Didsbury and Mrs Harrison said: "Dad had a very hectic, full and happy life."